XXIX Club Latest News Archive

The XXIX Club took on a supposedly under strength Bendigo CC at the magnificent Albert Ground, now back in pristine condition.

The XXIX‘s batted first and were quickly off the mark thanks to newcomer Derek Bennett who contributed to an opening partnership of 77 by making a fine 42. Young English import Alex Nash showed great promise in his debut match, scoring a dazzling century before retiring. Chris Janik was unluckily out for ten, but Justin Graham (40) and Kane Bowden (19 no) followed with an aggressive 86 run partnership. Justin’s wicket brought Kane’s brother Joel Bowden to the crease. After a couple of sighters Joel (37no) took to the already failing Bendigo attack, belting 25 off one over. The brothers combined to get us to what was thought to be a comfortable match winning total of 263 for 4.

As to be expected the Bendigo CC innings started with a flurry, however wickets fell at regular intervals. Noteworthy was the innings of Sam Brewin (75), an MCC 3rd XI player and ex-Bendigonian that was ‘borrowed’ for the day, who scored well against some good spin bowling by Shaun Sturrock and Chris Janik. With some effective bowling led by Justin Graham and a tight few final overs by Arron Boyle (3/51) the Bendigo boys finished just nine runs short in what turned out to be a very competitive match.

Thanks to the BCC, especially to Larry Wust who captained on the day. Special thanks to John Mc Cormick, Mike Slattery and John Robinson for the officiating and Barrie Hopkins for scoring. Col Walker did a great job with the BBQ and all players relaxed long after the game with a few refreshments.

The weather was kind to us on Sunday which allowed our fixture against the Australian Cricket Society to get underway at Trinity College on their synthetic wicket.

MCC XXIX Club won the toss and sent ACS into bat. The opening attack of Paresh and Murphy were on the spot and were able to restrict the ACS openers to just 15 runs off the first 10 overs. This set the pattern for the rest of our bowlers, who all performed well, to have ACS well contained at 7/145cc after 40 overs.

After lunch, Matty Scholten and Paresh started to build a good score with an opening stand of 61 runs, against a tight ACS attack. They were followed by some reserved batting from Andrew Ingleton, Dale Hopkins and Scott Walker as they fought the guile of the bowlers, allowing us to pass ACS in the 37th over at 3/149.

We thank our hosts ACS for the catering for the day and the fine spirit in which the game was played.

Man of the match for the XXIX’ers was Colin Murphy for a fine bowling spell (6-3-4-0), and for ACS it was Mark Browning for a fine 28 and a handy 1/15 off six overs with the ball.

My thanks to John MacNish our team manager, Barrie Hopkins our scorer and to Ian Blackwell the umpire.

Please find attached the match scorecard, and some Photos courtesy of John MacNish.

Thanks to all our team for a great win to kick off our season.

Colin Walker Captain

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"DOS" TAKES ON XXIX CLUB PRESIDENCYThursday September 24, 2009

MCC club manager Mark Anderson is the XXIX Club’s new president following Bill Stahmer’s move overseas. Few could boast a more rounded apprenticeship for the job.

An MCC representative since his days in the under 16 Dowling Shield competition (which he later coached), Mark has notched up more than three decades as player (captain of second and third elevens for 12 seasons) and administrator, being chairman of selectors since 2002/03.

He has been a XXIX Club member since 1988 and a committeeman since 1996.

The highlight of Mark’s career was his sole game in the First XI in 1991/92, playing in several premiership teams, representing the club and XXIX Club on many tours overseas and gracing the hallowed turf at Lord's.

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2009/10 FixturesThe XXIX Club fixtures for the entire 2009/10 season have been finalised and all XXIX Club members should have recently received a fixture card and an availability form.

The XXIX Club recently completed their month long tour of the UK which took in stopovers in Singapore and Malaysia. Below is a quick summary of the games they played.

MCC XXIX v Singapore CCPadangJune 29, 2009

The tour started with a draw due to rain late in the day at Singapore. MCC XXIX Club batted first on a slow wicket achieving 9/177 cc off 40 overs.

Best performers with the bat were Rob Cooper (37), Lachlan Collins (45), and Mick McCarthy (46).

Singapore CC went into bat as the light failed and the rain clouds hung heavy overhead. They reached 5/140 off 32 overs before the rain stopped play. Our best bowlers were John Fitzgibbon (3/37 off eight overs) and Andrew Fekete (2/5 off four overs).

As always the club was hosted in fantastic style by the Singapore Cricket Club with a dinner in the renovated clubrooms.

MCC XXIX v Scotland XL Club Grange EdinburghJuly 3, 2009

We arrived at the Grange Cricket Club where the Australian side will play the Scottish internationals later on their tour. Once again the game was abandoned due to heavy rain at lunch time. The MCC XXIX was able to bat their allotted 40 overs reaching 7/174.

The best of the batters were, Kelly Masters (32), Mick McCarthy (46), and Colin Murphy (56). Geoff Fidler (21 n.o.) The Scotland XL Club were unable to commence their innings.

MCC XXIX v Harrogate CC County Cricket Ground, Harrogate July 5, 2009

Third time lucky, we arrived at the Harrogate ground bathed in sunshine and we were able to get a result.

Rob Cooper opened for the XXIXers and we were entertained by one of the finest innings completed in XXIX club cricket. Rob finished the day with 151 not out including nine sixes and nine fours. He was ably assisted by John Fitzgibbon who made 36.

MCC XXIX Club finished with 4/217 off 41 overs, and recorded a great win.

MCC XXIX v Doncaster Town Town Fields Sports Club July 7, 2009

Once again we were unlucky to have a rain affected day, which resulted in the game being abandoned half way through the first innings. At that stage MCC XXIX was 4/73 off 26 overs. The best of our batters was John Fitzgibbon (28) against a top line bowling attack.

After losing some two hours through rain, we abandoned the game and attempted to start a Twenty20 game only to be washed out after three overs.

The hospitality extended by Doncaster Town was first class. A magnificent spread for lunch and later the entertainment was a lot of laughs. Games (“Stumps”, “Boat Races”, “Spoons” "Golf Pitching" etc) were played by the teams against each other, much to the enjoyment of the spectators, as we completed the day with a BBQ .

MCC XXIX v Upper Wharfedale CC Grassington Yorkshire July 8, 2009After a pleasant bus ride through the Yorkshire Downs, we arrived at the village sports ground to be greeted by their captain (Melbourne player) Juzzie Graham. After a pint at the local, to watch the start of the first test in Cardiff, we competed in a closely fought game.

Upper Wharfedale batted first amassing 8/200 cc off 35 overs. The best of our bowlers was Mick Billings (3/27 off three overs).

MCC XXIX Club were able to chase those runs down (8/201) with five overs to spare. Geoff Fidler (46 - one 6 and eight 4's), Rob Cooper (80 not out - six 6's and seven 4's) and Ron Shugg (29 not out - five 4's) were the successful batters for us.

The evening was spent at the local having a few “frothies” with the local lads. Another great day had by all.

Under the captaincy of Ron Shugg, we arrived at Radley College, the best ground to date on tour with some six or seven playing fields and their own 18 hole golf course.

South Oxford Amateurs batted first, and with some tight bowling, we were able to contain them to 9/176 cc off 40 overs.

The best of the bowlers were Phil Halbish (2/21 off eight overs), John Fitzgibbon (3/21 off eight), Rob Cooper (2/31 off seven) and Mick McCarthy (1/29 off five).

Mick “Flash” McCarthy and Tim “Norts” Norton opened the batting for us and after a good start we had a middle order collapse, with five wickets falling for 16 runs. Ron Shugg then joined “Flash” to steady the ship, however we fell short of the target by 22 runs.

Best performers with the bat were Mick McCarthy (80) and Ron Shugg (23).

The evening was spent on a boat cruising the Thames, enjoying fine food and wine in the company of the South Oxford Amateurs members and friends. Once again a great day and evening was had by all.

MCC XXIX v Middlesex CountyStanmore Cricket ClubJuly 13, 2009

Once again we arrived at a tree ringed ground nestled into the edge of London.

We were sent into bat on a good wicket however the threat of rain caused a middle order collapse where we went from 1/46 to 5/50 over the course of four overs. Rain sent the players from the ground for one hour and the game was shortened to 45 overs. The XXIX team finished with 8/151 cc.

Just as we arrived at the ground in Surrey, the heavens opened up with a rain storm that would make any Victorian envious. The groundsman said he would review the situation at 2.00pm.

We were then entertained by their Chairman, Andrew, who gave us a 30 minute presentation on the history of the Reigate Priory Club and background on some of the photos around the walls of the club house. This club boasts some 200 Test players having played on their ground, and many of the photos around the wall are of legends like W.G. Grace through to current players like Sachin Tendulkar.

The game did start at 2.00pm and was limited to 35 overs. The Surrey Championship XI provided a strong batting line up that amassed 4/176 cc.

The best of our bowlers were John Fitzgibbon (2/30 off seven overs), Phil Halbish (1/32 off six overs) and& Andrew Fekete (1/11) off seven overs.

Their bowling attack was very tidy and had us 6/41 off 13 overs before a rear guard action by Mick McCarthy (46) and Lockie Collins (30) gave us a more respectable score of 10/130 losing our last wicket in the 35th over.

We were outclassed by a very strong side however we once again enjoyed the warm hospitality of our hosts at their post match BBQ, before heading back into London.

This day was a double header for The Hurlingham XI playing the MCC XXIX Club in the morning and the Crusaders XI in the afternoon in a Twenty20 tournament.

MCC were sent into bat and amassed a credible 5/149 off the allotted overs, with our batting stars being Rob Cooper (68 - seven 4’s, and three 6’s off 38 balls) and “Evergreen” Stuart Stockdale (37 no - four 4’s off 37 balls). Rob and Stuart put on a 107 run partnership.

The Hurlingham Club XI batting was contained early by our bowling attack and the game was set for and exciting finish, with three overs remaining and 30 runs to get our game plan was working. However one particular batsman (Phillip Wessels, a cousin of Kepler) hit three 6's and three 4's off the 18th over to upset our plans and win the game.

Our main bowlers were John Fitzgibbon (1/19 off three and a half overs), Andrew Fekete (1/38 off thre), Geoff Fidler (1/20 off two) and Greg Fisher (1/21 off two).

In the afternoon the Crusaders beat The Hurlingham Club.

In the evening, we were treated to a magnificent BBQ and drinks by our host Jeff Chapman on the club terrace.

MCC XXIX v Meopham Cricket Club Meophan GreenJuly 19, 2009

We travelled by bus to Cobham Hall, near Meopham, for a guided tour of the original home of the Ashes, as this was Ivor Bligh’s magnificent mansion. The Meophan Green is in the middle of the village with roads on two sides and houses facing the green a short “straight drive” away. The Pub “The Long Hop” offers free beer to anyone who can hit a ball through the door of the bar.We welcomed Peter King and his family to our team, for a warm up for the Lord’s Game. His son Tom was our 12th man, and Scott Walker, son of Colin, joined us for the game.

Once again rain greeted us at the ground, however it cleared quickly and the game got under way on time. MCC XXIX batted first and accumulated 6/202 cc off 40 overs - Lachie Collins (41 no), Les Darbyshire (33), Scott Walker (34), Peter Collins (32 ret.hurt), Mick McCarthy (20).

After lunch we attempted to defend our score on this small ground to no avail, with Meopham making 2/206 off 37 overs. The best of the bowlers was Mick McCarthy (2/17 off eight overs).

It should be noted four sets of father-son combinations played this game for the MCC XXIX Club - the King’s, Collins', McCarthy’s and the Walker’s, making an interesting statistic for club history.

MCC XXIX v Ripley Cricket ClubGreen Ripley, Surrey July 20, 2009

The Ripley Cricket Club House was originally the stables for the hotel and were some 500 years old. They had also been used by the cricket club for some 250 plus years.

Our opening attack quickly gained the upper hand with five wickets for 33 runs, however Ripley’s middle order turned the game with some fine batting, to amass 7/178 off 39 overs to snatch victory. The best of our bowlers were, Andrew Fekete (4/24 off eight overs), Phil Halbish (1/39 off eight), and Mick McCarthy (1/29 off eight).

Once again a top afternoon tea and BBQ was provided by the ladies of the club.

As we arrived at Bushey Park (the Queen’s Royal Park) we were greeted with hundreds of acres of magnificent park land with deer roaming freely beside the cricket ground. This club was the home for Phil Halbish some nine years ago when he was their overseas player.

Teddington won the toss and decided to bat on a good wicket. All their batsmen made a start to their innings and were bowled out for 192 off 37 overs. The best bowlers were Rob Cooper (3/16 off sixe overs), Andrew Fekete (2/26 off eight) and Lachie Collins (2/43 off five).

MCC XXIX club’s batting disintegrated and we were all out for 38.

Once again we were hosted superbly with a two course lunch and BBQ after the game as we licked our wounds from the mauling we received.

After flying out of the UK, we were back in the tropics and the humidity. The Johor Cricket Academy have excellent facilities, and we were hosted in style by their committee.

MCC XXIX won the toss and batted on a clay wicket that had varying bounce and turn. After our allotted 40 overs we were 6/195 cc with all batsmen getting a start. The best were Rob Cooper (54 ret.), Paul Barker (32) and Michael McCarthy (31 no).

After a traditional lunch of curry, rice and salad, the Johor Cricket Council XI started aggressively chasing the runs, however it came at a cost of wickets falling too quickly and they were bowled out for 168 off 33 overs.

The best of our bowlers were Andrew Fekete (2/12 off five overs), Phil Halbish (2/8 off five) and Mick McCarthy (2/5 off four).

The evening was a magnificent BBQ and a few beers as the presentations were made to both teams.

XXIX Club Annual Reports

Find out more about recent XXIX Club happenings, including match reports and score, from our annual reports: